Virenia Gwendolyn Peeples (born December 10, 1961 in Hollywood, California)… Read Full Bio ↴Virenia Gwendolyn Peeples (born December 10, 1961 in Hollywood, California), better known as Nia Peeples, is an American R&B and dance music singer and actress. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Nicole Chapman on the hit 1980s television series Fame. Most recently, she portrayed Karen Taylor Winters on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless.

Her maternal grandparents are both immigrants from the Philippines. Her father has Scottish, Irish, English, Native American and Italian ancestry. Her mother is of Filipino, German and Spanish descent. She was raised in West Covina, California. She attended UCLA on a music scholarship, during which time she performed as Liberace's opening act in Las Vegas on weekends. Peeples was married to Lauro Chartrand (1997 - 2004) (divorced) has a child and is an ex-wife (1989 - 1993) (divorced) of singer Howard Hewett and they have a son, Christopher (b. 1990). She was also married to American telenovelas actor Guy Ecker (1984 - 1986) (divorced).

Music:
In 1988 she hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with "Trouble," which climbed to #35 on the Hot 100. Her most successful single is "Street Of Dreams," which hit #12 on the Hot 100 in 1991.

She made a music video in 1986 of "All You Can Dream", directed by Alan Bloom and conceptualised by Keith Williams, for the purposes of promoting the values of UCLA. She appeared in Prince's video for Raspberry Beret.

Acting:
Notably, Peeples portrayed performing arts student Nicole Chapman on the hit TV series Fame. In 1987 she was in the movie North Shore as Kiani. She hosted the short-lived American version of Top of the Pops as well as a weeknight dance music program called The Party Machine, and portrayed Texas Ranger Sydney Cooke in the CBS hit series Walker, Texas Ranger from 1999-2001.

Nia Peeples joined the cast of The Young and the Restless in 2007, playing the role of Karen Taylor, and was released from the role in the spring of 2009. Her last air date was in May 2009.

Street Of Dreams
Nia Peeples Lyrics

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Mama always used to say
Good things come to those who wait
Just give it time
Now your out there on your own
Got no place to call your home
Make you lose your mind
Busy workin' day and night
Tryin' to bring your dreams to life

It just ain't right

Each time they knock you down
Get your feet back on the ground
Don't let 'em stand in your way

So if you feel that you just can't take it
And the world isn't what it seems
Don't forget that life can be what you make it
Baby when you live on a street of dreams
Street of dreams

No-one seems to understand
All they do is make demands
Tell you where to go
Got no business in your life
Tryin' to tell you wrong from right
You already know
Chasin' rainbows in the sky
Got to have the nerve to try
You've got to see it through

Hold on to what you know
Don't ever let it go
Someday you'll see it come true

So if you feel that you just can't take it
And the world isn't what it seems
Don't forget that life can be what you make it
Baby when you live on a street of dreams
Street of dreams

Each time they knock you down
Get your feet back on the ground
Don't let 'em stand in your way

So if you feel that you just can't take it
And the world isn't what it seems
Don't forget that life can be what you make it
Baby when you live on a street of dreams
Street of dreams

So if you feel that you just can't take it
And the world isn't what it seems
Don't forget that life can be what you make it
Baby when you live on a street of dreams
Street of dreams

Chasin' rainbows in the sky
Got to have the nerve to try

Busy workin' day and night
Tryin' to bring your dreams to life

Overall Meaning

The song "Street of Dreams" by Nia Peeples is an uplifting and motivational message to those who are struggling to achieve their dreams. The song opens with a quote from the singer's mother - "Good things come to those who wait. Just give it time." This quote sets the tone for the song, which is all about never giving up on your dreams, no matter how difficult things may get. The song talks about the challenges that one may face while chasing their dreams, including not having a place to call home and being overwhelmed with work. However, the message is clear: keep going even when it's tough, stay true to yourself, and don't let anyone get in the way of what you want to achieve.

The song's chorus emphasizes this message, repeating the refrain "So if you feel that you just can't take it, and the world isn't what it seems, don't forget that life can be what you make it, baby when you live on a street of dreams." The song encourages listeners to hold on to what they know and to keep pushing, saying "Each time they knock you down, get your feet back on the ground, don't let 'em stand in your way." The powerful and inspirational lyrics are backed by an upbeat melody and lively instrumentation, making the song an anthem for anyone who may be struggling to achieve their dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

Mama always used to say
My mother used to tell me

Good things come to those who wait
Success requires patience

Just give it time
Persistence is key

Now your out there on your own
You are facing the world by yourself

Got no place to call your home
You have nowhere to belong

Make you lose your mind
It can be overwhelming

Busy workin' day and night
You're constantly hustling

Tryin' to bring your dreams to life
Working towards your aspirations

It just ain't right
It feels unfair

Each time they knock you down
Each obstacle you face

Get your feet back on the ground
Pick yourself back up